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234 



GEORGE ROGERS CLARK 

AND THE KASKASKIA 

i:AiVlPAIGN, I 777-1 778 



.DITED BY 



FREDr:ivlCK J. TURNER 



KECKINTKU FROM THE 



^m<*vlcau llisstovial '§mmv 



VOL. Vlll NO. 3 



-APRIL 1903 




Glass EI-XS^ , 



PRF.SENTI-n BY 



[Reprinted from Thp: American IIistoricai, Keview, Vol. VIII., No. 3, April, 1903.] 



I 



I . George Rogers Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign, ijjj—ijjS. 

The transcripts of the following documents are kindly furnished 
by Secretary Thwaites, of the Wisconsin State Historical Society, 
from the George Rogers Clark papers in the extensive Draper col- 
lection. This collection includes more important material, among 
the documents being the original of Clark's Memoir. From the 
original documents of a single year a few have been selected to 
show the kind of material on which Clark based his Memoir, and 
are of value, therefore, not only in the detail which they furnish 
for our understanding of the campaign, but also in the light they 
cast upon the authority of the Memoir itself 

Attention may be called to the use which was made of this col- 
lection in the paper on " Western State-Making in the Revolu- 
tionary Era," published in the first volume of the American 
Historical Review. In the Report of the American Historical 
Association for 1895 were reprinted many documents from the same 
collection bearing upon the relations between George Rogers Clark 
and Genet. The present installment deals principally with the con- 
ditions immediately preceding and following the capture of Kas- 
kaskia in 1778. In the Review for October, 1895, I. 90, were 
published the intercepted letters and journal of George Rogers 
Clark, 1779, from the Canadian archives. 

Frederick J. Turner. 

I. George Rogers Clark to [Patrick Henry?] ' 

Sir — According to promise I haste to give you a description of the 
town of Kuskuskies, and my plan for taking of it. It is situated 30 
leagues above the mouth of the Ohio, on a river of its own name, five 
miles from its mouth and two miles east of the Mississippi. On the west 
side of the Mississippi 3 miles from Kuskuskies is the village of Mozier, 
[Misere — St. Genevieve] belonging to the Spaniards. The town of 

'Draper MSS., 48J13. This is a copy ; the original is lacking. The following 
note precedes the copy : " Copy of an old and much decayed letter of Gen'. G. R. Clark, 
written plainly in the summer orfall of 1777, and very likely addressed to Gov^ Patl Henry. 
It is transcribed as fully as could be Sone — as the original has been wet, and is much 
worn and faded. L. C. D[raper]." In his Memoir Clark states that he communicated 
his views to Patrick Henry, December 10, 1777 : English, Conquest of the Northwest, I. 
468. 

491 



492 Documents 

Kuskuskies contains about one hundred families of French and English, 
and carry on an extensive trade with the Indians ; and they have a consid- 
erable number of negroes that bear arms and are chiefly employed in man- 
aging their farms that lay around the town, and send a considerable 
quantity of flour and other commodities to New Orleans, [" wHch they 
barter every year, and get the return in goods up the Mississippi," 
erased] . The houses are framed and very good, with a small but elegant 
stone fort ' situated [but a little distance from] the centre of the town. 
The Mississippi is undermining a part of Fort Chartress ; the garrison 
was removed to this place, which greatly added to its wealth ; but on the 
commencement of the present war, the troops [were] called off to re- 
inforce Detroit, which is about three hundred miles from it — leaving the 
fort and all its stores in care of one Rosehlack '' as comdl of the place, 
with instructions to influence as many Indians as possible to invade the 
Colonies ; and to supply Detroit with provisions, a considerable quantity 
of which goes by the way of the Waubash R., and have but a short land 
carriage to the waters of the [Miami] . 

In June last I sent two young men there : They '' [Rocheblave and 
the French] seemed to be under no apprehension of danger from the 
[Americans.] The fort, which stands a small distance below the town 
is built of stockading about ten feet high, with blockhouses at each corner, 
with several pieces of cannon mounted [" 10,000 lbs " erased] powder, 
ball and all other necessary stores without [any] guard or a single sol- 
dier.^ Roseblack, who acted as Governor, by large presents engaged 
the Waubash Indians to invade the frontiers of Kentucky, was daily treat- 
ing with other Nations, giving large presents and offering them great 
rewards for scalps. The principal inhabitants are entirely against the 
American cause, and look on us as notorious rebels that ought to be sub- 
dued at any rate, but I dont doubt but after being acquainted with the 
cause they would become good friends to it. The remote situation of 
this town on the back of several of the Western Nations ; their being well 

' The location of this fort has been in controversy. See Winsor, Narrative and 
Critical History of Ame7'ica^ VI. 719, n. I. 

* Philippe de Rocheblave. His account of the .situation in Kaskaskia, and informa- 
tion on his career may be obtained from the following documents : Mason, Philippe de 
Rocheblave, Fergus Historical Series, No. 34; Chicago Historical Society Collections, IV. ; 
Michigan Pioneer Collections, IX. 350; Report on Canadian Archives, 1883, pp. 75, 76, 
82; 1886,461,552,672. Note also the references to Philippe de Rocheblave in Wiscon- 
sin Historical Collections, III. 213, 215; VII. 132. 

3 See English, I. 467, 580. 

* De Peyster, at Michilimacinac, June 27, 1779, writes : " The Kaskaskias no way 
fortified; the fort being still a sorry pinchetted enclosure round the Jesuits' college," 
Winsor, America, VI. 720. Carleton wrote under date of Sept. 15, 1777 (Mich. Pio- 
neer Colls., IX. 350), that the troops were withdrawn from the Illinois to avoid unneces- 
sary expense and that Rocheblave's salary was granted to him, " to have an eye to the 
King's Interests in these Parts, and to advise Government of whatever might be carrying 
on against them, this is all the service required of him." Haldimand informed Sir H. 
Clinton, Nov. 10, 1778, that he had desired to have seven companies of the Fourteenth 
Regiment sent to the Illinois, but it was determined to retire these companies (Draper 
MSS., SSJ2). 






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d' 



<jui)j!XjdLSL- 



Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign 493 

supplied with goods on the Mississippi, enables them [" to carry " erased] 
to furnish the different Nations ["with goods " erased], and by presents 
will keep up a strict friendship with the Indians ; and undoubtedly will 
keep all the Nations that lay under their influence at war with us during 
the present contest, without they are induced to submission ; [" that be- 
ing situated above the mouth of the Ohio, ' ' erased] they will be able to 
interrupt any communication that we should want to hold up and down 
the Mississippi, without a strong guard ; having plenty of swivels they 
might, and I dont doubt but would keep armed boats for the purpose of 
taking our property. On the contrary, if it was in our possession it 
would distress the garrison at Detroit for provisions, it would fling the 
command of the two great rivers into our hands, which would enable us 
to get supplies of goods from the Spaniards, and to carry on a trade with 
the Indians [a line obliterated] them might perhaps with such small 
presents keep them our friends. 1 

I have always thought the town of Kuskuskies to be a place worthy 
of our attention, and have been at some pains to make myself acquainted 
with its force, situation and strength. I cant suppose that they could at 
any [day — time — rate — hour?] raise more than six [or seven] hundred 
armed men, the chief of them [are French — the British at Detroit being 
at so great a] distance, so that they more than 

An expedition against [Kaskaskia would be advantageous] seeing 
one would be attended with so little expense — The men might be easily 
raised with little inconvenience Boats and canoes with about 

forty days provisions would [answer] them : they might in a few days 
run down the river with certainty [to the] Waubash, when they would 
only have about iive to march to the town, with very little danger of 
being discovered until almost within sight, where they might go in the 
night ; if they got wind [of us they might] make no resistance ; if [they 
did,] and were able to beat us in the field, they could by no means de- 
fend themselves — for if they flew to the fort, they would loose posses- 
sion of the town, where their provisions lay, and would sooner surrender 
than to try to beat us out of it with the cannon from the fort, as [they] 
would be sensible that should [we fire] it before we left it, which would 
reduce them to the certainty of leaving the country or starving with their 
families, as they could get nothing to eat. 

Was I to undertake an expedition of this sort, and had authority 
from Government to raise my own men, and fit myself out without 
[much delay] , I should make no doubt of being in [full possession of the 
country] by April next. 

I am sensible that the case stands thus — that [we must] either take 
the town of Kuskuskies, or in less than a twelve month send an army 

1 Gautier's Journal covering the winter and spring of 1777-177S ( Wisconsin Histor- 
ical Collections, XI. 100) shows that considerable numbers of Indians of Wisconsin and 
Northern Illinois were already disaffected to the British by the messages of the " Boston- 
niens," or Americans. Compare Winsor, West%oard Movement, 113, for evidence of 
Kickapoo disaffection. Clark's negotiations with the Indians of this section were doubt- 
less facilitated by these facts. 



494 Documents 

against the Indians on Wabash, which will cost ten times as much, and 
not be of half the service. 



II. Patrick Henry to George Rogers Clark.' 

W^'BURGH Jan 15'!" 1778 
Sir 

Col? David Rogers * is to go to New Orleans on the Business of 
Trade I mentioned to you, and I have opened the secret Nature of your 
Expedition to him as it was necessary for his Safety. I wish I had 
known of his being acquainted with all the places you are going to. He 
is intimately acquainted in all that country having been often times 
through every place there and can give you valuable Intelligence and 
Advice. I wish you to avail yourself of his Counsel and proceed as you 
find the Interest of your Country directs when you get to the place you 
are going to. AVhat I have in view is, that your Operations should not be 
confin'd to the Fort and the Settlement at the place mention' d in your 
Secret Instructions, but that you proceed to the Enemys Settlements 
above or across, as you may find it proper." 

Col° Rogers will be in Danger as he comes up the River Homewards 
unless he can fall in with your party and return with them. If you should 
return before he does, leave a Company of 50 men under a good Officer 
somewhere down Ohio or wherever the Col° shall direct to escort him 
Home with his Cargo. This is a JMatter of Consequence and I hope will 
not fail, as the Danger otherwise about the lower parts of Ohio will be 
great.* I am 

Sir 

¥"■ mo. hble Servant 

P. Henry 

\_Superscription ;] Col°. George Rogers Clark far^ by Col° Rogers. 

1 Draper MSS., 4SJ17. 

2 Governor Henry wrote, January 14, 1778, to the Governor at New Orleans to the 
efifect that his messenger, Colonel David Rogers, would receive commands with reference 
to common action on the Mississippi. Governor Henry suggests as desirable the annexing 
of West Florida to the American Confederacy, and informs the Spanish governor that 
he has thought it necessary to build a fort near the mouth of the Ohio, but " that shall 
depend on what your excellency shall please to write me on the subject." He further 
asks a loan of 150,000 pistoles to Virginia. Colonel Rogers was to receive the goods said 
to be lodged at New Orleans for Virginia. Rogers's letter to Henry, October 4, 1778, 
describes his reception. This and Galvez's reply to Henry are in Draper MSS., 58J, 
84-91, 103, loS, being copies from the Carleton papers. Colonel Rogers was killed by 
the Indians while returning with the goods, a little .above Licking Creek on the Ohio 
(English, I. 554; Roosevelt, II. 136), and his papers fell into the British hands. 

' This probably refers to Vincennes and possibly to Detroit. Compare English, I. 
412. 

^George Rogers Clark, February 3, 1779, wrote to Governor Henry of his projected 
expedition against Vincennes, and of the arrangements he had made for the galley 
to join Colonel Rogers on the Mississippi if his attack failed. See English, I. 262, 
263. 



Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign 495'' 

III. Patrick Henry to George Rogers Clark.' 

W°;'BURGH Janry 24'" 1778. 
Sir 

Being just now informed that you had given a Commission, with • 
recruiting Instructions to some Person as low down as the County of 
Amelia, to enlist men for the Service which you are appointed to com- 
mand, I am under a Necessity of expressing my Concern at your Conduct, 
well knowing that men inhabiting that part of the Country are by no 
means proper to be employ' d on the Expedition which you are to direct, 
indeed you must certainly remember that you inform' d me, that you 
expected to get men enough to compleat the seven Companies, partly at 
Kentuck and partly within the Carolina line, and that if you shou'd fail 
in your Expectation, any Deficiency cou'd easily be made up in the 
frontier Counties in the neighborhood of Fort Pitt the South Branch and 
the Frontiers : I must therefore desire You to pursue your first Inten- 
tions, for by enlisting any Men in the lower Counties You will not only 
procure improper Persons, but you may also throw those Counties into 
great Confusion respecting the Act of Assembly passed this Session 
for recruiting the Continental Army. The men you enlist will not be 
exempted from this Draught. I am Sir 

Y-: hble Servf 

P. Henry 
Col° G. R. Clark. 
[Superscription .■] To George Rogers Clark Esq. supposed to be at Fort 

Pitt. 

IV. Major W. B. Smith to George Rogers Clark.' 

HoLSTON River 7"" March 1778 
Dear Col"! 

It has never bin in my power to informe you of my proceedings 
Since I left Williamsburge till now this day I fitted of A Company of 
forty four men to kintuckey under the Command of Cap' Thomas Dil- 
lard all of which are well fixl young harty fellows — three Companies 
moore '' I Expect to be ready to March from this the Twentieth of this 
Instant provisions in this Quarter is Very Scarce and I Expect to sink 
more [than] three hundred pound in fitting them off Corne from Seven 
an!* Sixpenc. to too doller pf bushel and bacon Seven pound ten a hun- 
dred — and Scarce to be had — you may Depend on my being as indus- 
terous as in my power lies — a few days ago there Came an Express from 
kentuckey here and informed me of Capt. Daniel Boone with Twenty 

1 Draper MSS., 48J18. 

"Draper MSS., 48J19. Clark writes in his Memoirs (English, I. 469): "I ad. 
vanced to Major William B. Smith £ 150, to recruit men on Holston, and to meet me in 
Kentucky (He never joined me)." For Clark's statements of his disappointment in 
failing to receive these four companies, and for the desertion of part of Dillard's com- 
pany after the announcement of the destination of the expedition see English, I. 414, 
469, 471. Clark received this letter March 29. 



496 Documents 

eight men being taken prisonners from the Salt licks on licking Creek, 
with out Sheding one drop of blood. This is all the news I have to 
Informe you of part of which I am sorry for — The barure of this to you 
. is a Soldier in Dillards Company — I hope Sir you will provide him a 
Gun as he is with out - — 

I have nothing moore to informe You of at this Time in hopes you 
will Excuse me for not Complying with your orders sooner as it was not 
in my power before — I am Dear Sir — 

Yours for Ever god bless 
You 
To Col° Goorg R Clark W" Bailey Smith 



V. Major W. B. Smith to George Rogers Clark.' 

HoLSTON River 29'." March 1778 
Dear Col". 

I wrote you from this quarter to Fort pitt — informing you I should 
be out at kentuckey by the 20. day of April but sir I am under the Neces- 
saty of informing you it is out of my power to meet you according to the 
Time I appointed You must no Sir I have failed in gethering my troops 
According to Expectatation I had all the Suckcess in the world before 
the draught- Came on — and the Arival of Squire Boone in this quarter 
which informed the Inhabitant [s] of Daniel Boone with 2 7 Men being 
taken prisonners from the Salt Springs on licking creek these infurnal 
reports has turned back, too Companies of Men — that was on ther 
March th[r]ough the Mountains and I must of cours wate here till I Re- 
cruite others — the county Lieut! in this quarter gives me but small 
incouridgment — tho I dont in the least despair but I Shall make my 
Companies Compleet — after wating hire. Some time I, have officers now 
in the differant sets, that are yousing — there utmost indeavour in that 
business and you may Rely on my doing doing every thing for you in my 
power in this business — I have but one Company yet march'' which are 
Stationd at Boonsborough : Commanded by Col" John Donalson from 
pittsylvania and Col Dillard as first Lieutenant — thirty Moore are now 
on there march — and the rest I am deturmd to have gethered before I 
leave this if possable — I have nothing Moore to say on this Scoore. etc 
— but if you have not retired to Dranings Lick ' I would give it as my 
opinion you had better make the place of Rondavous at the big bone 
lick where I am informd there will be a garrison arected — as soon as 
Col° Bowman Can get out — which will be as Convenient to me as if 
we meet at Dranings Lick — be it as it will Sir, I hope you will send 
letters to Boonsborough as soone as you arive as I may know where to 

1 Draper MSS. , 48J20. 

2 Compare Henry's letter to Clark, No. II., ante. 

^Drinnon's Lick near the Kentucky River. See also English, I. 558. Bowman 
mentions that the expedition landed salt kettles at the mouth of the Kentucky en route 
to the Falls. 



Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign 497 

march to on my arival in that quarter — Col° Bowman I Expect will 
send and Express to as Soone as he gits out — I am Dear Col° 
Yours for Ever god bless you — 

W" Bailey Smith 



VI. John Campbell to George Rogers Clark./ 

Pittsburgh June S'l" 1778 
Gentlemen 

As the Opportunitys from the Seat of War and Congress into your 
Country is so very seldom and the late Accounts from Europe are so in- 
teresting I can not refrain from communicating them to you tho I am 
necessiated to be concise the bounds of a letter not admiting of any thing 
more 

The 26* of May last we Celebrated the Joy full News here with the 
Discharge of Thirteen Pieces of Canon and a Tripple discharge of Mus- 
quetry 

On or about Christmas Eve last Two Treatys were concluded 
between the Plenepotentiarys of the United States of America and The 
French King whereby the French King cedes all North America and the 
Bermudas Islands to the United States of America and declares their 
Independence will Trade with them and protect their Trade The 
Americans are under no Restrictions whatever except they shall not 
return to their Dependance On Great Brittain these matters are made 
known to the British Court by the French Ambassadore the Consequence 
is that Brittain has recalled ther Ambassador from France and Ordered 
theirs Home. Therefore we daylay expect to hear of War being De- 
clared between the two powers and consequently We must assist France. 
Lord North has moved for Conciliatory Methods with America and two 
Acts of Parliment are passed one Suspending several Acts of Parliment or 
rather explaining the right of Taxation in America and the Other Ap- 
pointing Commissioners to Treat with the Americans both of Which ac- 
cording to the Way they are now understood by Us will be rejected with 
the Contempt they deserve. 

General How is said to be on the Wing from Philadelphia and I 
hope to have the pleasure of informing you soon that there is not a Brit- 
ish Soldier except Prisoners on any part of the Continent of America. 
M' Wells is just waiting he can inform you of some of the particulars of 
these Glad Tidings to whom I must refer you and am 

Your Hum? Servt. 

John Campbell. 

\_Superscriptwn : ] Col. George Rogers Clark In His Absence to the In- 
habitants of Kentuckey. 

1 Draper MSS., 4SJ22. This is doubtless the letter mentioned by Clark in his 
Memoir (English, I. 474) where he speaks of his hope of attaching the Illinois French 
to the American interest, and adds, " fortunately I had just received a letter from 
Colonel Campbell, dated Pittsburg, informing me of the contents of the treaties between 
France and America." 



498 Documents 

VII. Cesirre to George Rogers Clark. ^ 
Monsieur 

Les travaux De naux Res Colte Mond enpaichez Davoir honneur De 
vous aller faire Maresverance Et Moblige de vous Envoiyez Par un autre 
Macommition chause que Jaures Este flatte Defaire Mois Maime Jes Paire 
au Plus taux quil Me Sera Posible Deme rendre a Mondevoir Je Crois que 
vous vous deres Bien Mes Cusere un Peux Etgand Esposez Mes Raison 
au Cappitaine qui Est venud ice Jenes Rien Denouvaux avous Marque 
que de Me Croire avec tous Le Res Pec Posible 

au Kashaux le Monsieur Votres humbles 

10 Juliette Obeisand Serviteur 

1 7 78 — Cesirre 

\_Siipei-scripiioti : ] Monsieur Monsieur Colonel Gorge Rogers Clark 

Commandand enChef Des Illinois pour les Etat unis De la Merique 

au Kaskaskias 

[Translation.] 
S/r 

The labor Of our Harvest hinders Me from having the honor Of 
going to express to you My reverence and obliges Me to [have] Sent 
from you By another person My commission a Thing which I had hoped 
To do My Self I Hope at Least that it Will be Possible for Me To per- 
form My duty, I Believe that you will Certainly excuse Me in a Small 
measure when My reasons are Explained to the Cappitaine who came 
from here I have Nothing New to inform you of only Believe Me with 
all Possible Respect 

Sir Your humble Obedient Servant 

At the Kashaux Cesirre 

the 10 July 1778 
\_Superscription .•] Colonel George Rogers Clark Commander in Chief of » 

The Illinois for the united States of America at the Kaskaskias. 

viii. Cerre to George Rogers Clark. 2 

Monsieur 

Jai ete extremement mortifie de ne metre pas trouve en mon domi- 
cile lors de votre arrivee aux Caskakias 

Jaurias eu L' honneur de vous donner des preuves de mon Entiere 
Soumission a mes Superieurs mais mon Etat etant detre marchand et par 

'Draper MSS. , 4SJ23. The signature is a tritie difficult. There was a Joseph 
Cesire at Cahokia ( Kashaux is Cohoes, or Cahokia ) . See Illinois Historical Society Pubs. , , 
IV. 205. Set the document 'X.,post, where he is called captain. The document is 
chiefly remarkable for Its French. 

^Draper MSS., 48J24. Cerre was a principal merchant of Kaskaskia. Clark 
describes his dealings with him in his Memoir (English, I. 477, 47S, 4S1, 4S4-7). 
Compare Ulirh. Pioneer Colls., X. 294; IX. 4S4. Rocheblase desired that relief to 
his family after his capture should be transmitted by orders on Cerre {^Chi. Hist. So. 
Pubs., IV. 418). Paschal L. Cerre (born 1773) tells (Draper MSS., 8J51) that Clark 
peeped through the windows of the Cerre residence on the night of the capture of 
Kaskaskia, to the indignation of Mme. Cerre. 



Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign 499 

consequent oblige de voyager dans les differens postes de ces pays pour 
faire Subsister ma famille, ma mauvaise Etoile ou pour mieux dire Ihabi- 
tude annuelle ou je Suis de commencer mes voyages dans ce temps ont 
cause mon malheur ,et Suivant le bruit public mes Ennemis Jaloux des 
peines que je me donne pour me procurer une heureuse mediocrite ont 
profite de mon absence pour me noircir et me metre mal dans lesprit des 
personnes dont je nai pas L'honneur detre connu bien persuade que ma 
conduitte passee et celle avenir vous etant connue une fois vous me 
rendrez la justice qui est due a tout bon Sujet Soumis Je Grains que dans 
le premier instant les faux raports de mes Ennemis ne portent quel qua 
teinte a ma fortune Seul objet de leur haine, dailleurs ayant entre les 
mains les affaires de defunt M' Viviat coUoquees avec plusieurs personnes 
des Caskakias et qui demandent ma presence. Jose vous Supiier Mon- 
sieur devouloir bien maccorder un Sauve conduit pour me transporter en 
mon domicile afin quen vertu dicelui je puisse me laver des accusations 
que Ion vous afait contremoy et vaquer aux affaires qui mappellent au dit 
lieu Cest lagrace quespere de vous le Sujet le plus Soumisqui a Lhon- 
neur dfitre avec le plus profond respect 

Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres 

obeissant Serviteur 

A S' Genevieve > Cerre 

le 11." Juillet 1778 

Monsieur Gf Clark 

[0« backing -r^ Letters Inclosed in one Cover To Col° Clark July 11"' 

1778. 

[Translation. ] 

Monsieur 

I was extremely chagrined that I was not at home at the 
time of your arrival at Caskaskia. I would have had the honor of giving 
you proofs of my entire submission to my superiors But my profession 
being that of a merchant, and consequently obliged to travel to the dif- 
ferent posts of this country to make a living for my family, My unlucky 
star, or to speak more correctly, the annual habit I am in of commencing 
rny journeys at that time caused my misfortune. 

According to public rumour my enemies jealous of the efforts I make 
to obtain a comfortable mediocrity, have profited by my absence, in 
order to blacken me and destroy me in the opinion of persons to whom I 
have not the honor of being known ; well persuaded that my past conduct 
and that to come being once known to you, you will render me the jus- 
tice that is due to every good and submissive subject. 

I fear that in the first moment the false reports of my enemies may 
cause injury to my fortune, the only object of their hatred, besides hav- 
ing in my hands the affairs of the deceased Mr. Viviat to arrange with 
several persons of Kaskaskia and who require my presence. 

I venture to solicit you Monsieur to have the goodness to grant me a 
passport to go home in order that I may be able to clear myself of the 
accusations that have been made to you against me, and attend to the 



500 



Documents 



affairs that call me there. It is the favour that the most submissive sub- 
ject hopes from you, and who has the honor of being with the most pro- 
found respect Monsieur your very humble and 

very obedient Servant 

Cerre. 
St. Genevieve 

II July 177S 
Monsieur Gf Clark. 



IX. Cesirre to George Rogers Clark.' 
ATonsieur 

Jes Resud Lonneurre de lavotre Et vous Suit infinemez oblige de 
la Bonte que vous nous Marquez et Jes Pairre que vous nesere Jamais 
Dans le Cas devous Repantire Devos nouvaux Suges Soiyez Persuade que 
Jemettere tous Cequisera amonpouvoire Pour tenire Luniondans Lestas 
Jevous Pris Sy vous me faitte Lonneure de Mes Crirre Daurenavay Demes 
Crire Enfrancois vud que Jenes persone qui Soid Capable de Minterprette 
Jenes poind Denouvelle avous Marquere qui Meritte votre attantion M' 
Ihomme Porteur Delapresante vous dira Cequi Sepase Jevous pris deme 
Croire avec tous Leres pec posible 

Votres humb' 
au Kashaux Obeisand Serviteur 

Ce 23, Juliette 

1778 — Cesirre 

{Superscription .■] Monsieur — Monsieur George Rogers Clark Command- 
ant Enchef Des Illinois pour Les Etat unit De la Merique Au Kaskas- 
kias. 

[Translation.] 

Sir 

I Received the letter you did me The honor to write And am in- 
finitely obliged for the Favor that you Accord us and I hope that you 
will Never be In a Situation to Repent concerning your new Subjects Be 
Persuaded that I shall do all that is in my power To maintain union in 
The state I Beg you If you do me The honor of writing Me in the future 
To write to me in french since I have no one who Is capable of inter- 
preting for Me I have nothing New to Inform you of that is Worthy of 
your attention The man who Carries This to you will tell you what is 
occurring I beg you to Believe me with all possible respect 
Your humble Obedient Servant 

Cesirre 
At the Kashaux July the 23 1778 

{Superscription ;] Mr. George Rogers Clark, Commander In chief of the 
Illinois for The united States Of America At the Kaskaskias. 

^ Draper MSS., 4SJ25. 



Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign 501 

X. George Rogers Clark to Messrs. [?] ' 

Kaskaskias 24°"' Juilliet 1778 
Messieurs 

Je recu ce matin vos Lettres des plaintes de chaque'un et je suis 
fachez de trouvez qu'il y'a des difficultie occassionez par de vue d'in- 
terets dans La commerce, par des individu parmi Les Savages si nuisible 
au Paix et tranq [uillite] de notre paiez J'espere Messieurs que vu pren- 
drai en consideration, que ce le devoir de chaq'un de nous de suprimer 
Les insults des savages des une aux autres qu'enfin le desir de gagne 
n' occasion pas une Division parmi nous. Commes des gens Libre nous- 
avons Droit de faire une commerce Legitime sans etre Sujets aux insults 
d'un fier citoyen, Mais ni pas sur Les possessions on bien d'autres [sans 
leur] consentment, J'ai appris que Le voiture de Mons [MS. torn] etait 
sur Le Mississippi apre traitte. Si [MS. torn] comme une faut enver 
Monsieur M'rCarty^ il est oblige [de] repondre pour sa conduite. Mon- 
sieur M'Carty rendrai Les Butins de Monsieur Gagne, Mais pour L'ar- 
anger L' affaire ou Les dispute a L' amiable, Capt Cecire nommerai une 
persone pour agir avec Lui — au nomme de La republique et chaq' un des 
disputants, prendront deux personnes pour terminer Leures disputes par 
arbitration — une coppie de Leur decissions me serai envoye pour etre 
approver et si je Lapprouve sa sera final Je suis 

Mess? 
Je Certifie La traduction cy dessus Votres humble Serviteur 
Juste et veritable selon L' intention 
de celle ecrite en Englais par M' G : Signe 

R: Clark Comm.'. des Illinois etca G. R. Clark 

etca etca — 

Hansen 

[Translation.] 

Kaskaskias, July 24, 1778. 
Messrs. — 

I received this morning your Letters complaining of one another 
and I am sorry to find that there are difficulties occasioned by 
the consideration of commercial interests, by different persons among 
the Savages so hurtful to the Peace and tranquility of our country. I hope, 
sirs, that you will take it into consideration, that it is the duty of each 
one^of us to suppress The insults of the savages toward any one [of us] 
and also that the desire for profit will not occasion a Division among us. 
As Free people we have Right to carry on a legitimate traffic without 
being subject to the insults of a proud citizen, But but none over The 
possessions or goods of others [without their] consent. I have learned 
that The Conveyance of Mons[ieur] [MS. torn] was on The Mississippi 

1 Draper MSS., 48J26. 

2 This is probably the trader Richard McCarty, whose letter to DePeyster gave in- 
formation of the capture of Kaskaskia [Mick. Pioneer Colls., IX. 368). He afterwards 
accepted a captain's commission under the Americans. There are numerous letters from 
him in the Draper MSS. and in the Calendar of Virgi7iia State Papers, e. g., I. 379. Cf. 
English, I. 278. 



502 Documents 

after being treated. If [MS. torn] as a trespass against Monsieur McCarty 
he is obliged to answer for his conduct. Monsieur McCarty will 
return The Booty of Monsieur Gagne, But in order to arrange the 
affair or The dispute amicably Capl. Cesire will name one person to act 
with Him in the name of The republic and each of the disputants, will 
take two persons to terminate Their disputes by arbitration — a copy of 
Their decisions will be sent me for approval and if I approve It that will 
be final I am, Sirs, 

Your humble Servant 

(Signed) G. R. Clark 
I Certify The translation of the above [to be] Just and correct according 
to The intention of that written in English by Mr. G : R : Clark Comm' 
of the Illinois etc. etc. etc. 

Hansen 

« 
XI. Perrault to George Rogers Clark. ^ 

Monsieur, 

Jeprends la liberte devous ecrire au sujet d'un billet que J'ai consenti 
a I'ordre de Mf De Rocheblave le i6. X.'"" dernier dela somme de huit 
cent seize livres dix sols en pelleterie a compte duquel mon cher pere a 
paye sur un mandat que Cd' Sf a tir^ en faveur de Mf Pratte le 13. may 
1778. la somme de sept cents livres en pelleterie comme vous pourez le 
voir par les pieces que Jai remiser au Sf Thomas Brady 

En outre il y a encore adeduire la quantite de soixante cinq livres 
en pelleterie convenue avec M.' de Rocheblave pour le ossailler ^ qui se 
sont trouvees dans le lard que je lui ai achete. 

J'ose esperer. Monsieur, de votre equite que vous voudrez bien endosser 
ces objets sur Cd' billet et charger quelqu'un de vos ordres pour recevoir 
le montant de cinquante et une livre dix sols qui restent duex. 

J'ai I'honneur detre avec respect, 
Monsieur, Votre tres humble 

et tres ob' ■ Serviteur 

A S' Louis le 23. Juillet 1778. H. Perrault 

A M' le Colonel Clark Commandant aux Cas. 

{Superscription .•] Monsieur Monsieur le Colonel Clark Commandant 
aux Caskaskias 

[Translation.] 
Sir 

I take the liberty of writing you on the Subject of a note that I gave 
to the order of Mr. De Rocheblave December 16 last for the sum of 
eight hundred Sixteen livres ten Sols in peltry on which my dear father 
has paid At the demand of the said Gentleman, drawn in favor of Mr. 
Pratte May 13 1778 the Sum of Seven hundred livres in peltry as you 
may see by the receipts that I remit to Mr. Thomas Brady. 

1 Draper MSS., 48J27. This is interesting in its information as to the kind of 
subjects presented to Clark. 

2 For ossekt ? 



Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaig7t 503 

Besides there is still a deduction amounting to Sixty five livres in 
peltry agreed upon with Mr. de Rocheblave for the bones that were 
found in the pork that I bought of him. 

I dare hope, Sir, that by reason of your equity you will certainly en- 
dorse these sums on the aforesaid note, and give some one your orders to 
receive the remaining fifty one livres ten Sols I have the honor of being 
with respect, sir. Your very humble and very obedient Servant 

H. Perrault 

At St. Louis the 23 July 1778 
To Colonel Clark commanding at the Cas. [caskias] 

\_Superscription .•] Colonel Clark Commander at the CasKaskias. 

XII. Winston to Ofb'icers.^ 
Sir 

I am to aquaint you that there is Something Incomprehensible a 
Carrying on in Town this night tis Suspected that Cerre * is this Night 
in Town [MS. illegible] of M.'. Le Chance this I give you from mere hearsay 
and the Maneouvres I See Slighly Carried on by the People in the 
Dark 

I am Sir Yours'and the States 
Truely Faithfull friend and 
Hum!° Serv'. 

Rich" Winston.' 
[Superscription .•] To The Office of the Guard Fort Clark 

XIII. Memorandum by George Rogers Clark.* 

On our first taking possession of the Illinois in 1778 having no public 
money to advance, to the Commissaries Quartermasters etca I generally 
examined their Accounts and gave Bills of Exchange on Government 
for the amount this was the practice for some time but engrossing too 
much of my attention on business of greater moment to the public I com- 
plained of it and Cap' Shannon was appointed by Order of the Governor 
Conducter General etca I then had no further business with accounts in 
that department (nor knew very little about them) Purchases, Issues 
etca etca was then immediately under his direction for the payment of 
which he drew Bills on me and I countersgned [countersigned] them but 
never looked at his Accounts. I know that he was obliged sometimes 
to barter a good deal to procure necessaries as he had Orders to make 
use of every means to collect what Stores he could as we had by the ex- 
pectation of the assistance of the Kentucky Malitia a designe of taking 
possession of Detroit what Posts I was at when I signed the Bills in con- 
templation I do not remember as I was too deeply engaged in my mili- 

' Draper MSS., 4SJ28. 
^ See the letter from Cerre ante. 
3 Richard Winston was afterwards Todd's lieutenant. 

< Draper MSS., 4SJ29. This illustrates the kind of difficulties which led to the 
contest between Clark and Virginia over his unsettled claims. 



504 Docjiments 

tary arrangements to think much of things that had at that time so little 
weight in the Scale of affairs : but a considerable time after I had made 
my final Settlement with Government 1783 Mr Gratiott ' as attorney in 
fact for Cap' Langtott" presented those Bills to me in richmond for pay- 
ment I argued that it was Cap' Shannon's business to arrange them, 
nothing would do but the payment a Suit was ordered and brought forward 
by Mr Tazwell not doubting but I should hereafter be refunded I paid 
off the Bills on my return to Kentucky Cap' Shannon informed me that 
he should shortly make his final Settlement with Government when 
things would be arranged and that I was in no danger of suffering this 
was the case from time to time till he was sent Delegate and actually did 
settle and on his return did inform me that on my application to the 
assembly I would get paid for the large Bill the other he would settle for 
in lands if agreeable which [was agreed to] and wrote a letter explain- 
ing the nature of the large Bill which I sent with a Petition to my brother 
of Spotsylvania to present to the assembly which he twice did to no pur- 
pose Col? Thruston brought the enclosed to me which I got from him 
last spring which shows that Cap' Shannon Settled for those Bills with 
the State of Virginia, those and similar circumstances hath prolonged 
this business to the present pereod — The whole of the Staff was then 
under his derection however complicated this may appear I have paid 
this money and for which I have rec!" no satisfaction — Dec 3!* 1794. 

G. R. Clark 

XIV. Jos. Bowman to George Rogers Clark.' 

Kahokal' October 30^ 1778. 
Dear Col". 

Inclosed you! Receive two Letters from Denow which I made free to 
open In order to compair them and another from the said person to a 
Certain Gentleman together, which treated upon one subject, but at a 
great Advearance [sic] In your letters I find you are still Incouraged 
about Receiving your Horses whearin it mentions of their only waiting 
upon one Nation of Indians, whome they had sent for other ways they 
wood have Returnd by this time with the Horses — in the other Gentle- 
mans Letter they say that they have yet five Horses — besides the six 
they have sent, and Desiref that he will purchace six or seven Hogheads 
of Taffee more with the Greatist saifty; as the Expence they have already 
against State amounts to fifteen Hundred Livers. 

I have sent you by Cap!;; Winston a half moon of Silver which I got 
out of the Continantle store, which seam'' to have been Provided for offi- 
cers. I have taken one for myself and some more yet Remaining, if 
they are wanting they Can be had at any time I likewise got five for 

1 Charles Gratiot. See Wis. Hist. Colls., X. 239. 

^Linctot. See Wis. Hist. Colls., XI. 113. 

^Draper MSS., 48J43. For the career of Major Joseph Bowman, brother of Colonel 
John Bowman, see English, I. 108 et passim. He was descended from George Bowman 
and a daughter of Joist Hite, the German pioneer of the Shenandoah Valley. 



Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign 505 

Indians but made Lite and not so compleat ; tlieir has been some Indians 
of the sack ' Nation here, which I despatched A few days ago with them 
caime one cheif and another of the Iwayo ^ Nation which had never been 
in, their complyance has not satisfyed me with a Regard to peace, as 
they confess? to me that their principal cheifs whear gone to Montreall to 
fight against the big Knife. I sent them off and gave A Kag of Rum 
and told them to go and hold a counsel with their.Nation and give them 
choice which side to join with — Drinking their Health with the Rum. 

My Compliments to the Gent" Officers, Includeing M' Camron 

I am D'' Sy your most Obd! friend and Hie Sar' 

Jo' Bowman. 

\Superscription .■] G. R. Clark Col° and Commander in Cheif of the 
Islinois Country Kuskuskia pr Cap'." Winston 

XV. John Bowman to [George Rogers Clark].' 

Harrodsburgh October 14'!' 1778. 
Dear Sir 

This day I Receved yours by W'f Miers, and with deficulty I shall 
furnish him with a Horse to Ride to the Settlement on. 

The Indians have Pushed us hard this Summer, I Shall onley Begin 
at the 7'.'' of Sep' when three Hundred and thirty Indians with 8 French 
Men Came to Boonesburg Raised a flag and Called for Cap! Boone who 
had Lately Came from them, and offred Terras of Peace to the Boones- 
burgh People. Hearing that the Indians Gladly Treated with you at 
the Illinois, gave them Reason to think that the Indians were Sincear ; ' 
two days being taken up in this Manner till they Became Quite fimeleyer 
with one another ; but finding the Boonesburgh People would not turn 
out, and having Col° Calloway MajT Smith, Cap' Boone Cap! Buchanan, 
and their Subalterns Eight in Number, in the Lick, where they had 
their Table, (you Know the distance about 80 yards) the Indians Getting 
up, Blackfish made a long Speach, then gave the word go. Instantly a- 
Signal Gun fired, the Indians fastened on the Eight men to take them 
off, the white People began to Dispute the Matter, tho unarm!" and 
Broke Loose from the Indians though there were two and three Indians 
to one White Man. In Runing the above Distance upwards of 200 
Guns fired from Each Side and yet Every man Escaped But Squire 
Boone, who was Badly wounded though not Mortally he got Safe to the 
fort. On this a hot Ingagement Insued for Nine days and Nights con- 
stant fire with out any Intermission. No More damage was Done how- 
ever But one Killed and two wounded. The Indians then Dispersed to 

1 Sauk. 

2 loway ? 

'Draper MSS., 48J42. 

* This is an interesting contribution to the explanation of this episode in the siege of 
Boonesburgh. See Thwaites, Daniel Boone^ 161, 166, and Ranck, Booned>orou^h, 
Filson Club Publications, No. 16. On Colonel John Uowman, see English, index, 
passim. 

AM. HIST. REV., VOL. VHI. ^2. 



5o6 Docunients 

the Defrent forts where they Still Remain in greate numbers and way 
laying our Hunters — General Mcintosh who commands the Armey 
Intended against Detroyt, I understand Receved Instructions to Strike 
the Indians and not meddle with Detroite, For other Northern News I 
Refer you to the Gazettes I hearewith Send you. The Indians have 
Done More Damige in the Interior Settlements this Summer than Ever 
was Done in one Season before. Absolute Neadesysity obliges me to 
send Cap' Harrod for salt, that we May be Able to Lay up a Sufficient 
Quantity of Provision for the next Summer. I hope you will Send us 
one hundred Bushels for that Purpose, Send me an Accomp' of the Same 
and I will Send you the Money by Cap' Muntgomery in the Spring, 
Your Complyance in this Matter will Inable us to Keepe our ground ; if 
not — we Shall be oblige'.' to brake up for the want of Provision, for 
Neadesysity will Brake through stone walls — I was obliged to promis 
6/P.' day to Every man that Returns with Cap? harrod that I sent. I 
Beg this as a favour to let Every Man of them have the value of forty 
Dolers in goods as May best Sute them and I will Pay it with the above. 

I am Dear Sir your Hum!f Serv' 
N. B. Pray forward the — Jn° Bowman 

News Papers to my Brother 
after your Looking over them. j. B. 

We have ben Reinforce!" from Washington County with Eighty Men but 
thir time is near out Before the [y] Come this Lenth so the [y] Return 
Imediately agane. 



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